Iran's FM to Aoun: "Save Lebanon from your real foe"

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has strongly rejected accusations by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun that Tehran is using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in its broader confrontation with the United States and Israel.

In a post on X, Araghchi responded to Aoun’s remarks by questioning the framing of Iran’s role in Lebanon, arguing that such claims misrepresent the situation on the ground, Caliber.Az reports. 

He dismissed the suggestion that Iran exerts coercive control over Lebanon, saying it would otherwise have reached a political settlement “long ago.”

“Based on Mr. Aoun’s comments, one would think it’s Iran that has occupied 1/5 of Lebanon, displaced 1/4 of Lebanese and [is] bombing his country on daily basis,” Araghchi wrote.

Based on Mr. Aoun's comments, one would think it's Iran that has occupied 1/5 of Lebanon, displaced 1/4 of Lebanese and bombing his country on daily basis.

Had Lebanon been bargaining chip for Iran, we'd have a deal long ago.

Save Lebanon from your real foe, Mr. President. https://t.co/24OJ9uiIXU

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 6, 2026

He further urged the Lebanese president to “save Lebanon from your real foe,” without specifying further.

The comments came after President Aoun, in an interview with CNN, accused Iran of using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in its regional disputes. He also criticised Tehran’s influence in Lebanese affairs, particularly through its support for Hezbollah via the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“It’s not your country, it’s our country,” Aoun said, adding that Iran was “using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in their negotiation with the US.”

By Sabina Mammadli